The air-supported structure is a flexible shell made of strong armored fabric without any metal structures, which is hermetically secured to the foundation. Air is pumped inside the shell, creating excess pressure and thereby supporting the structure. The structure is safe and reliable in operation. The pressure drop experienced by a person entering the air-supported building is approximately the same as that of a sixth-floor lift.

The air-supported building is the best solution when a large bright space without any support is needed. Sports fields, inflatable tennis courts, entertainment centers, swimming pools, showrooms, service stations, inflatable hangars, temporary buildings, temporary structures, warehouses and production halls are just some of the possible uses. Air-supported structures can also be placed on the roof of conventional buildings as an additional storey.

Advantages of the air-supported building:

• the ability to cover large areas;
• low cost in comparison with permanent buildings and constructions;
• low maintenance and operating costs;
• high speed of erection and dismantling;
• great appearance and light transparency;
• safety, earthquake resistance;
• the possibility of installation in different climate zones;
• the possibility to use the dome surface for advertising purposes.

The simplest shapes of air-supported building are conjugate cylindrical and spherical ones. We also use a technology, which allows us to manufacture inflatable structures with complex hyperbolic and parabolic shapes, as well as structures made up of several surfaces. The inflatable dome can be both symmetrical and asymmetrical. Our specialists are trained to implement a variety of architectural ideas, find the best solutions depending on the conditions of the region and the spatial capacity.

We have experience in the production of air-supporting structures with an area of 15 to 7,700 square meters, varying in height from 5 to 25 meters. We have experience in installing air-support structures on both flat and sloping areas, on areas of variable heights, with the possibility of attaching the shell to vertical building walls or objects in the natural landscape.




Shell (Main or inner one)

It is manufactured from technical fabric, coated with a PVC-based polymer. The inner (energy-saving) shell is included in the set, when the operating conditions of the air-supported building allow for heating or cooling. The fabric we use for the production of the shell is chosen, taking into account such parameters as strength; abrasion resistance; adhesion; resistance to UV light; exposure to petrol and oils; water- and air-tightness; flexibility; durability. The fabrics have a temperature range from - 30° to + 70° C, a service life of over 15 years and a high degree of UV protection.


Foundation support

As there is pressurized air inside the air-supported structure, the shell tends to "break away" from the earth's surface. This is prevented thanks to the foundation. It can be of two types – ballast and pillar. A ballast foundation can be solid, cast with concrete using a formwork, or made out of concrete blocks, which are laid around the perimeter. The pillar type of foundation consists of pillars, screwed in or driven into the soil.


A set for attaching the shell to the foundation

This is a set of steel corner brackets and anchor bolts, used to attach the air-supported shell to the foundation.


Air handling unit

It is used for pumping the air inside the air-supported structure. It consists of an air handling unit with a centrifugal fan and a heating unit, for heating the air inside the structure. The energy source of the heating unit can be gas, diesel, electricity or hot water.


Backup air blower unit

If the main fan becomes inoperative, the standby blower unit switches on automatically. The unit is equipped with a diesel engine, an automatic start and stop mechanism, a battery, an automatic battery charging mechanism, a pressure monitor, a fuel tank for 24 hour operation and a control panel.


Airlock systems (revolving door, cargo exit, transport airlock)

They are designed for entering and leaving the air-supported building without losing pressure. The most convenient airlock for people, which has a high throughput capacity, is the “revolving door”. For the purpose of moving large objects into the air-supported building, a cargo exit or transport airlock is used. If required, several airlock systems can be installed simultaneously.


Light sources (floodlight)

The floodlights attached to the air dome have special fall protection features. The projectors can also be mounted on special poles, located around the perimeter of the structure.


You can find the technical details and further information on the website - vector-build.com